Probably collected somewhere along the
Clearwater River of Idaho in late September or early October of 1805. (Source)

An erect, often sprawling, evergreen shrub up to 10 feet tall with stout,
green branches. Often forms thickets from basal sprouts. The twigs are brown,
more or less puberlent, becoming dark brown. It has a taproot 1.9 to 2.4 meters
deep. Monoecious, perfect and complete. There are
small white flowers borne in large, dense clusters up to 5 inches long (giving
rise to the name snowbrush). Leaves are simple, alternate, persistent, ovate to
ovate-elliptical, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long, thick, dark green and shiny above
and paler below, margins serrated, 3-veined from the base. Leaves are sticky and
have a sickeningly sweet odor when rubbed or when weather is warm. The
fruit is small, 3-lobed, rounded capsule up to 3/16 inches in diameter, which
occur in clusters. Tiny dark seeds with very hard seed coats; need to be heated
by fire in order to germinate. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to
July. It produces a strong cinnamon or balsam-like odor.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires
well-drained soils that are acid, neutral, and basic. It often occurs in
draws and on the open face of hills, becoming rapidly established on burnt-over
mountain slopes of Western N. America.

Medicinal Uses
The leaves are febrifuge. An infusion has been used in the treatment of coughs
and fevers. A decoction of the leaves and stems has been used both internally
and externally in the treatment of dull pains, rheumatism etc.

The leaves contain saponins and have been used as a skin wash that is also
deodorant and can destroy some parasites[. The wash is beneficial in treating
sores, eczema, nappy rash etc. (Source)

Traditionally, plant tops and leaves were used as a hair wash for
dandruff, and in a bath to prevent diaper rash or to wash sores or eczema. it
was also used a decoction of branches or leaves as a wash for rheumatism,
arthritis, and dull body pains, or in a general wash for bathing.